The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-07-21
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Reports and Figures Covering the First
Term.

SobOA III lOliOVS. LIZ pOt tc
show the schools have been con-
Quoted marvellously cheap. 1t has
recently been demonstrated that the
work Of the school has never been
excelled here, and that fact coupled
with the exhibit below given is
sincerely gratifying:
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.
10 tie School Board of Pulaski, Tenn.
Gentlemen:-I herewith present
for your consideration my report of
the condition and progress of the
Public Schools of this city for the
fourteen and one-half months of its
existence, up to June 3, 1887, to-
gether with some suggestions rela-
tive to their needs and improve
ment.
The unavoidable irregularities
and inequalities of scholarship, due
to the gathering together of pupils
from a number Of different schools,
were much in the way of harmoni-
Gus grading, but the first five
months did much to overcome this
difficulty, and this time finds US
with ten grades in the white school
and six in the colored, with hearty
work and healthy emulation mani
fest in every department and class.
We have enrolled since Aug. 80,
1886, 679 different children and
have now in actual attendance in
the white schools, 800, in the color
ed, 100.
In the white schools there were
2S7 examined for promotion, 80 per
cent. of whom passed successfully
to higher grades. For the past
school year, by careful estimate, [
find the cost Of tuition has been a
little less than $11.00 per pupil
which clearly demonstrates the low
cost of public instruction when
compared with private instruction.
Special attention has been given
to the establishment of order, sys-
TEN, neatness and good behavior of
the pupils, and as a rule, good pro-
gress has been made. The general
inclination of the schools has been
toward hard work and the slug
CARDS who were not able to endure
this atmosphere and could not be
stimulated by it have mostly drop
ped out of ranks.
The prescribed course of study
has been strictly adhered to. In
the Primary Department pupils
have been taught reading at sigh6
by the word method, writing with
pencil, arithmetic by means of OBJ
jects and fgures-by the CRUDE
Method, drawing on the slate, sing
ing by note, the elements of music
reading, and especial attention has
been paid to composition OF easy
sentences about things which the
children know by their senses, u.s.
ing objects, pictures and story
books. Physical exercise in the
form of free calisthenics has been
taken moderately and regularly. In
the Grammar and High school de
partments much the same methods
have been pursued as in the Prima-
ry, with the object always in view
Of training to think and reason
rather than recite.
At the opening of our schools
the most marked deficiency was in
English, writing and music, hence
special emphasis has been given to
these branches in the white schools
and in reading and writing in the
colored. Jhoroughness, with genu-
inc development of soul, mind and
body has been our aim rather than
display in quantity Of material de-
voured. REGULATIONS, declarations,
debates and the study of popular
authors have been brought in as
supplementary work for recreation.
Specimens of written work from
every grade and class have been
preserved during the year and were
displayed at the close of the session
that the patrons, parents and friends
might see and judge for themselves
concerning the work and progress
OF every pupil in school. 1t was 8
! matter OF regret that the regular
, work il writing and drawing books
! had not been kept as they should
have been for this exposition.
By special effort Of the superin-
tendent and a few of the teachers
and pupils, we have commenced 8
library for the use of the school
About &c voluEes, including die
! ii )naries, reference books aud g
number Of standard books adapted
to the minds of youths. have been
secured and II large pictures IN
tended for use in object teaching
have been placed in the Primary
| room.
The High School room has now
been made convenient and attrac
tive, but the intermediate rooms
are decidedly bare, dingy and I'M
attractive. A few decorations il
the way of maps, pictures, illustra
tel books and papers, new BLACK
boards and window curtains are
much needed and would add great
! ly to the appearance, as well as tt
the influence of these rooms.
Healtbful and harmless games
have been encouraged On thu
grounds at the proper play time an(
the general health and vigor of The
whole school seem good.
In the matter of discipline com
paratively little trouble has beer
experienced. In cases of willfu
or persistent misconduct, parents
have been promptly notified ant
their cooperation IN reformation,
means solicited. In few cases o
unprovoked and repeated insolenc
where the influence was emphatical
ly hurtful upon the school the Of
fender has been suspended with
noticeable benefit to the schooI
The rules of the Board pertaining
to discipline have been strictly fol
lowed.
The rate of absence and tardines
has been considerably decreased
but there is yet room for improve
ment in this respect. ] realize tina
we are forming the habits OF tn
children for their after lives and
habit of regularity and prOmDtnes